The pagoda forest in the backyard of White Horse Temple was quiet.
Maqiao excitedly said to Yang Fan, "Xiao Fan, you are really amazing. You actually thought of using Monk Xue's power to help me get out of trouble. Hey! The Luoyang government actually closed the case. Now we are safe. Could it be that you already had this idea when you stole the Taoist robe to sneak into White Horse Temple? "
Yang Fan laughed, "How is that possible? I am not a living god. How can I think so far ahead? Most of the time, I took the first step and suddenly saw the light. Only then did I realize that I could take one more step. At that time, I just wanted to get out of trouble. I remembered that Monk Xue likes to enlighten Taoist priests. "
Yang Fan leaned against the base of the stupa and sat down. He said, "After arriving at the temple, I found out that the abbot is especially fond of cuju. I also heard that the palace holds a football match every year. Thinking that our abbot has always been competitive, I thought that maybe I can show off my cuju skills and get his attention."
Maqiao also sat down next to him. Listening to him, Yang Fan said, "This abbot is someone that even the current Empress of Heaven's Wu family's nephews have to be respectful to. They don't dare to offend him. Your case is considered earth-shattering among the common people. But in the imperial court, which big shot would pay attention to it? With this great monk's help, we can definitely get out of danger. Sure enough … "
Yang Fan said this and smiled slightly.
Ever since he arrived at White Horse Temple, what he thought of was not only to use Xue Huaiyi's power to exonerate Maqiao, but also to find out the whereabouts of his enemy.
At first, his first target was Miao Shenke. But after asking around, he found out that Miao Shenke had mysteriously disappeared. Only the Shangguan Wan 'er in the palace knew his whereabouts. So he settled for the next best thing and started with Qiu Shenji. After failing to assassinate Qiu Shenji, he thought that he would have to lie low for a period of time before looking for another opportunity. Who knew that there would be light at the end of the tunnel, there would be another opportunity to find the whereabouts of Miao Shenke.
Perhaps if he urged Xue Huaiyi to bring him into the palace for the competition, he would have a chance to see the Shangguan Wan'er. Although it would be difficult to come into contact with the Empress' favorite in the palace, at least there was a glimmer of hope. Of course, he couldn't tell Maqiao about this plan.
Maqiao was touched and said, "Xiao Fan, if you hadn't rushed into the execution ground to save me, I would have been executed. Now, thanks to you, I could only be a fugitive hiding in the shadows for the rest of my life. This great kindness, I …"
Yang Fan interrupted him and said, "If I don't treat you as a brother, I won't do this for you! Since I treat you as my brother, why do I have to say such unorthodox words? That day at the residence of Yang Langzhong, weren't you the same? You clearly saw my actions but still tried your best to cover it up for me? "
Maqiao said, "The difficulty of these two matters can't be compared. Speaking of this matter, I feel even more uneasy. You are hiding in the Xiu wen workshop because you have a blood feud. If your identity is exposed because of saving me, it will delay your important matter … "
Yang Fan said solemnly, "Brother Qiao 'er, don't say such things again. Of course I won't forget the feud! However, even if I know it will be exposed, I will still save you! Even if I can't take revenge for the rest of my life, I will still save you! If I were to give up my friends and family just to avenge the dead, how stupid would that be? If I can only choose between avenging the dead and finding a way to survive for the living, then I will not hesitate to give up revenge and protect my friends and family. "
He raised his head and looked towards the distant south, lamenting, "Revenge is my responsibility, but I shouldn't turn myself into a cold-blooded tool because of hatred. This is what my Grand Shifu said. He was an amazing hero. When I was young, my biggest regret was that he didn't personally teach me martial arts.
At that time, I was practicing by the seaside and he was fishing by the seaside. The things he told me the most were the principles of being a person. But at that time, the reason why I was willing to talk so much with him and listen to him was because I wanted to make him happy. Maybe he would be willing to personally teach me martial arts.
Unfortunately, he only chatted with me and said things that I didn't really like to listen to. When I gradually grew up, I realized that the things he taught me were far more useful than just a few punches and kicks. It was him who prevented me from becoming a cynical person who doesn't recognize family or friends, someone who will stop at nothing for revenge. "
Maqiao couldn't help following his gaze to the south and said respectfully, "That old man lives in the Southern Sea?"
Yang Fan nodded, then shook his head and said, "In the past, he lived in the Southern Sea, but now …"
Yang Fan raised his head and looked at the floating clouds in the southern sky. He said softly, "He lives in the sky!"
…
Early the next morning, Yang Fan and Maqiao returned to the Xiu wen workshop.
This time, their return was different. There were eight monks accompanying Yang Fan, each of them tall and sturdy, holding a staff.
Xue Huaiyi wasn't worried that someone would dare to cause trouble for Yang Fan. He was purely here to support the star player in his heart. As the saying goes, 'returning home with glory'. Xue Huaiyi was originally a medicine seller in the marketplace. Although he had climbed up to Wu Zetian, made friends with many influential people, and seen some of the world, his roots hadn't changed.
Yang Fan had now become the Head Master of White Horse Temple.
Yang Fan wore five undergarments, seven undergarments, and an overcoat, which was a Buddhist robe, on top of the seven undergarments.
Monks' overgarments were divided into three grades, and each grade was divided into three types. Yang Fan was the Head Master of White Horse Temple, so he wore a high-grade Buddhist robe with twenty-five undergarments and one hundred and twenty-seven stripes. On the outside, he wore a scarlet kasaya made of peacock feathers and silk, with golden hooks and jade rings. He looked dignified and awe-inspiring.
Maqiao accompanied him by his side, but he only wore an ordinary ash-blue Buddhist robe. Maqiao was worried that his mother would get sick from worrying about him, so he was eager to return home. Yang Fan knew his mood, so he hurried and walked very fast.
As Yang Fan and Maqiao walked forward, an ox-cart slowly approached them. The street was very wide, and the ox-cart was tightly covered, so the two didn't pay attention to the ox-cart.
Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, this ox-cart was the favorite carriage of the aristocratic families. Unless they were going on a long journey or in a hurry, they would always take the ox-cart. This was because the ox-cart was slow and stable, and the carriage was spacious and tall, so people could sit or sleep at will. It was more suitable for the children of aristocratic families who lived like princes and wandered around.
This custom was still popular among aristocratic families, and it would only gradually disappear when the Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties ended and the Song Dynasty rose. The ox-cart coming toward them was an oil cart. It was rectangular, and there was a shed on the top. The door opened at the back, and the curtain hung down. The front and sides of the shed had lattice windows, an arched roof, and a long eave at the front and back.
The carriage was draped with curtains. It was embroidered with plum blossom patterns, and the four sides were decorated with silk tassels. It was extremely gorgeous. The driver walked leisurely and leisurely. A young master dressed in white in his thirties was sitting upright in the carriage, pretending to sleep. Beside him was the pretty maidservant Tin Aino dressed in green. She lifted the curtain and looked at the scene on the street.
She knew that they had arrived at the Xiuwen Workshop. As she looked at the scenery on the street, she couldn't help but think of Yang Fan. She wondered how that fellow was doing now. In order to help his friend out of trouble, he had squandered all the gold, jewels, and jade she had given him. Presumably, he still hadn't found a wife to his liking, right?
She thought of the days she spent with Yang Fan. She thought of this handsome young man who was a little evil, but had the heart of a thief, but didn't have the guts. In fact, he didn't commit any evil deeds, and he was especially enthusiastic and loyal to his family and friends. Tin Aino couldn't help but smile gently.
But this smile immediately froze at the corner of her mouth, because she saw a monk dressed in red walking towards her.
This monk was wearing a big red kasaya embroidered with eight auspicious lotus flowers. The kasaya was covered with Dharma conches, dharma wheels, precious umbrellas, white lids, lotus flowers, vases, goldfish, and long plates. The kasaya was decorated with Ruyi hooks and a jade bracelet. The monk held a string of sandalwood prayer beads in his hand. He was accompanied by a grey-robed disciple, and behind him, eight monks followed closely.
With such extravagance, he should have been an old and virtuous eminent monk. But when she looked at his appearance, with his shiny bald head, elegant eyebrows, straight nose bridge, and clear lips, he was as delicate as a girl, it was enough to shock her. Looking carefully, this monk turned out to be the somewhat ruffian, very loyal, seemingly scoundrelly, but innocent shopkeeper, Yang Fan, whom she had just thought of.
"Ah!"
Tin Aino's delicate body shook, and she couldn't help but exclaim.
The man in white who closed his eyes and pretended to sleep opened his eyes and glanced at her.
Tin Aino quickly put down the curtain, and the man in white said, "Ah Nu, your temperament recently is not as calm as before."
"Yes, I …" Tin Aino answered, but she wanted to say something but stopped.
The man in white's eyes flashed slightly, and he asked, "What's wrong?"
Tin Aino slightly bowed her head, and said, "I … saw him again."
"Him?"
The man in white was a little confused, but Tin Aino's life was very simple, and the number of outsiders she knew was really limited. The man only thought for a moment, and then he suddenly said, "The person who saved you? Why are you making a fuss when you see him? "
Tin Aino slightly revealed a wry smile, and said, "He … is now dressed as a monk."
"Oh?"
"I wouldn't be surprised even if he was a little monk, but I haven't seen him for a few days, and not only did he become a monk, but also his position in the temple is really not low. Other monks may not be able to reach his position even if they study for a lifetime. It's not that I want to make a fuss, but he … really can't help but feel strange. "
The man in white, who had always been as steady as Mount Tai, couldn't help but be curious. It was really harder to be promoted as a monk than to be promoted in the officialdom. A boy who was still a shopkeeper two days ago suddenly became a monk, and he could even make Ah Nu be moved, so his position must be really not low …
The man in white also couldn't help but lift the curtain to look outside, and then he was a little stunned.
"Master?"
"Find out what's going on with him."
"Yes!"
Tin Aino was very surprised that a man who had always been focused and arrogant would be interested in Yang Fan. However, Tin Aino was sincerely happy to have a chance to get close to him, or to know some news about him, so she naturally ignored this strange feeling.
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